Dual bed and convertible couch combined



Aug. 7, 1962 D. B. BOLINGER 3,047,885

DUAL BED AND CONVERTIBLE COUCH COMBINED Filed April 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lV/ l ll m I! I I I a I I1 58 2 64 56 54 Donald B. BO/lhgl' INVENTOR.

Aug. 7, 1962 D. B. BOLINGER 3,047,885

DUAL BED AND CONVERTIBLE COUCH COMBINED Filed April 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Donald B. Salinger INVENTORv 3,047,885 DUAL BED AND CONVERTIBLE COUCH COMBINED Donald B. Bolinger, Bloomington, Ill. (305 Normal Ave., Normal, Ill.) Filed Apr. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 100,943 4 Claims. (Cl. 5--9) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in convertible multipurpose furniture which is expressly constructed and uniquely designed to function with requisite nicety in a room of limited size and where available space is at a premium and compactness and convenience is both desirable and necessary, and has to do with an original concept and structural adaptation which may be broadly categorized as a dual bed and couch combined.

The present invention is designed and adapted for use in quarters wherever extensible and retractible bed and lounging couch facilities are customarily provided but was evolved and produced primarily, but not necessarily, for practical use in college and university dormitories, hotels, motels and the like where groups of students and others assemble and congregate and have need for at least a couple of beds and a sitting and lounging couch or sofa, as the case may be. Many other places of installation or use too numerous to mention are under consideration but will not be dwelled upon here for, obviously, the concept to be dealt with is not so much where the invention is to be used but what the invention itself is and how the objectives are to be acceptably accomplished. V

Briefly, the invention pertains to a novelly constructed relatively stationary floor-supported high-level bed unit,

and a companion retractible and projec-tible low-level bed unit, the latter comprising an improved caster-equipped trundle bed and having the function of a bed on the one hand and a couch, on the other hand. The first-mentioned unit is such in construction and purpose that it combines with a room wall and adjacent underlying floor to define a stall-like stowage space for the trundle bed. The latter bed, when in its stall is not only conveniently out of the way to economize on floor space, it is also hidden from view. Also, when it is fully withdrawn and amply extended beyond the open front of the stall or storage space,

it provides a low-level bed. When shoved part-way into said space, it provides a couch.

stowage space. The top of the bolster is at a level below the level of the mattress and the bottom thereof is elevated to assume a plane above the top of the mattress on the trundle bed. It follows that the space between the bottom surate in length with the length of the open front of the of the bolster and the floor is such as to allow the trundle bed to be retracted or extended and when it is extended part way, the trundle bed then converts to a couch or sofa and the bolster constitutes a backrest, said bolster being 3,047,885 lfatented Aug. 7, 1962 suitably padded and upholstered to function to advantage in the role of a comfortable backrest.

Further novelty is predicated on the aforementioned tfirst-named bed unit in that it is characterized by a pair of vertical spaced parallel wooden or equivalent panels.

These panels have floor engaging feet at their lower ends and when the rearward vertical edges of the panels and rearward lengthwise frame member of the bed springs are both against the wall a neat and practical enclosure constituting the aforementioned stowage or storage space is had. Furthermore these panels facilitate mounting the box-like or cabinet portion of the bolster. Inaddition, the frame of the bed spring is suspended between the upper portions of the panels.

A further improvement resides in the aforementioned construction wherein the bolster comprises a walled cabinet for storage of pillows and miscellaneous small articles. Then, too, the front wall of this cabinet is hingedly mounted and equipped with cushions and constiuttes a satisfactorily inclined backrest.

With respect to the trundle bed this is proportioned so that when it is in the stowage space it is completely onclosed. When it is fully extended or partly extended to serve either as a bed or a couch it is caused to stay put in these respective positions by way of weight responsive friction brake controlled and held front rollers preferably but not necessarily of a type shown in my Patent 2,942,698 identified as Weight Operated Wheel Brake.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which: FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of the multipurpose or dual bed and convertible couch combination showing the extensible and retractible trundle bed in its couchforrning position;

FIGURE 2 is a view on a larger scale taken centrally through the structure seen in FIGURE 1 and in which the details and their particular construction and arrangement in association are clearly illustrated;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view with portions broken away and other portions appearing in section and elevation;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation with a portion of the structure at the right broken away to illustrate certain otherwise hidden details; and

FIGURE 5 is an exaggerated fragmentary sectional elevational view showing a slight modification in the front construction of the aforementioned bolster.

With attention directed to FIGURES 1 to 4, inclusive, the relatively stationary high level first bed unit is denoted generally by the numeral 8. The companion low lying second bed unit (or trundle bed) is denoted generally '(FIG. 2) by the numeral 10. The cooperating multipurpose bolster is denoted by the numeral 12.

Taking up now the means or unit 8 attention is first directed to the elevated bed spring 14. This spring supports a suitable mattress 16. The spring itself is incorporated in the frame structure and this frame structure embodies a pair of spaced parallel forward and rearward angle irons 18 and 20 fastened securely between the upper en ages?) corner portions of the end members or panels 22 at points below the upper edges of said panels. These panels are preferably of wood and are suitably decorative as shown in FIGURE 1 and the lower corner portions are provided with suitable floor engaging and steadying feet 24. The numeral 26 designates a board or a suitable brace which spans the rear edge portions of the lower portions of said panels with its end portions secured thereto by angle brackets or the like 28. This part 26 serves not only as a rigidifying brace, it provides a limit stop for the left to right travel of the trundle bed as will be evident from FIGURE 2. The aforementioned bolster is a component part of this unit 8. The bolster is of hollow boxlike or cabinet construction and the cabinet part as a unit is denoted by the numeral 30 in FIGURE 2 and it will be observed that the spaced parallel end walls 32 abut the interior surfaces of the legs or panels 22 and are bolted thereto as at 34-. The cabinet spans and bridges the full length of the open front of the unit 8 and the top wall 36 is disposed on a plane above the spring 14 but below the top of the mattress 16. The bottom wall 38 is disposed at a predetermined plane which allows for proper clearance of the unit Ill. The vertical wall 40 of this construction may be made of one piece or more with the same hingedly mounted on the top portion as at 42 thus providing a closure and cover. The exterior surface of the wall 46 is suitably padded and upholstered as at 44 to provide cushions thus defining a cushioned inclined backrest in addition to an article storing cabinet. may be best described as a low level trundle bed. It comprises a suitable rectangular metal or equivalent horizontal frame 46 provided with a bed spring (not detailed) and serving to support a mattress 48. The end frames supporting the main top frame 46 are denoted at 56 and include horizontal frame members 52 which are equipped with depending casters, wheels, rollers or the like. Preferably the inward or rearward wheels 54 are mounted for free rotation on depending yoke-type brackets 56. On the other hand the front wheels are of special construction. Each front wheel is denoted at 58 and is mounted for free rotation in a U-bracket 60 integral with the free end of a leaf spring 62 whose other end is fixed at 64 to the frame member 52.. The numeral 66 designates a friction brake shoe or fixture which is of U-shaped form and is fastened in place on the frame member as at 68, the curvate inclined bight portion 70' being opposed to the periphery of the roller or wheel and providing a friction brake surface. It is to be mentioned here that this construction and arrangement serves to provide braking action to the wheels in response to the application of a load beyond a predetermined limit when imposed on the mattress. This self-braking and trundle bed holding means is covered, specifically, in my Patent No. 2,942,- 698. As pointed out in the stated patent the construction and arrangement of the roller is such that the locking result is accomplished automatically, that is, in response to the weight load of the occupant or occupants using the mattress 48 either as a bed or couch as the case may be. When the weight is lifted the spring means 62 automatically functions to release the brake and to allow the trundle bed to be shoved in or out of the stowage space in a seemingly obvious manner.

Although the views of the drawing do not show the trundle bed in its completely housed out-of-the-way position, it will be understood that in practice when the righthand edges of the panels 22 are back against a-vertical wall or an equivalent surface, the panels 22, overlying mattress and spring combine with the floor in defining the aforementioned stowage space. It follows that when the trundle bed is shoved into this space (not shown) its travel from left to right in FIGURE 2 is limited by the brace 26. In this position the two beds are one above the other and are of approximately corresponding size and proportion so that the trundle bed is in a hidden out- The receding or projectible and retractible unit 10 A. of-the-way compact and convenient position but is ready to be withdrawn whenever necessary or desirable. It will also be obvious that the trundle bed can be pulled completely out of the stall-like stowaway space and in fact beyond the bolster 12 to serve as a bed thus providing upper and lower beds for individual occupants. When the parts are in the arrangement depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2, for example, and with the trundle bed halfway out, a convenient couch for lounging and sitting purposes is provided. At this time the padded bolster provides a practical backrest. The friction brake rneans comes into play to hold the trundle bed in either its bed position or couch position as is obvious.

In FIGURE 5 a slightly different construction is shown but basically the arrangement is the same as already described. Briefly one endpanel is denoted at 72, the spring means at 74, the spring 76 being mounted on the rails 7 8 supported between the end panels. The mattress is denoted at 80. The box-like cabinet is here denoted at 82 and the end walls 84 are bolted or otherwise fastened at 86 to the adjacent panel. Here the front lid or cover 88 is hinged along the bottom by hinge means 90 to the bottom wall 92. The upper edge 94 is provided with a ball-type detent 96 engageable with keeper clips 98 just below the top wall 100. No further description on this aspect or concept would appear to be necessary here.

it will have been noted that the upper end portions of the end panels project to a plane above the plane of the bed spring 14- and rails 18 and 2t and that the upper portion of the bolster spanning the space between the end panels 22 also projects to a plane corresponding with the upper projecting edge portions of the panels with the result that these several coacting edge portions define a confining rim for the lower or basal portion of the mattress 16. The brace 26' stabilizes the end panels at the rear of the unit 8 while the forwardly and outwardly projecting bolster rigidifies the forward upper portions of the panels consequently providing a novel structural unit or entity 8. This unit lends itself admirably well to cooperation with the projectible and retractible trundle bed. The invention may be effectively and satisfactorily used in homes where two youngsters must sleep in one room and where twin beds occupy so much floor space that the use of study desks or other furniture would be prohibited. The trundle bed, being only 29 inches high at the highest point, allows easy access for the children sleeping in the top bed without danger of falling out, such as in present day bunk beds, and the lower bed unit can be pulled out during the day for seating purposes or to serve as a flat surface upon which the children may sit and color or study. The essence of the concept resides in the coordinate arrangement and unification of the several component parts which cooperate and provide two beds, one stationary and the other one movable. The movable bed may be stored in an out-of-theway position in its stall-like enclosure when not in use. In addition it may be fully withdrawn from the enclosure and used as a bed or it may be located in an intermediate position with the median portion thereof underlying the bottom of the boltser and an approximate half-portion projecting beyond the bolster to serve as a couch, whereby to thus provide multipurpose convertible furniture which lends itself to practical use primarily, but not necessarily, in living quarters where space is at a premium. Its presence in the room makes it possible to dispense with other space-consuming units, makes for compactness and convenience and reduces the cost of installations and minimizes the need for services of attendants, repairmen and serves the purposes for which the invention was contrived and is being successfully used.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the specification in conjunction with views of the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the overall subject matter, the features and advantages and the advantageous results which are capable of being accomplished when using the invention.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a first relatively stationary floorsupported bed unit adapted to be placed with a rearward side thereof against a fixed vertical room wall, said unit embodying a pair of opposed vertical end panels parallel to each other and spaced apart, a horizontal high-level bed spanning the space between and fixed to upper ends of said panels, said bed being spaced vertically above and in a plane parallel with a floor on which the lower ends of said panels are firmly supported whereby said unit when positioned against said wall acts in conjunction with the wall and floor to define a mobile bed encompassing and storing enclosure, a second floor-supported bed unit complemental to said first unit and embodying a horizontal low-level bed, said second unit being projectible and retractible relative to said first unit and being adapted to be wholly confined in an out-of-theway position in said enclosure when not in use, said beds being parallel one above and directly over the other and being so sized and shaped that the two beds occupy approximately the same floor space when said second unit is confined and stored in said enclosure, said second unit being mobile and movable into and out of the enclosure at will and when withdrawn and moved entirely out permitting individual occupants of the beds to have private use thereof, an elongated horizontally disposed boltser spanning the space between and fixed to said panels and ranging across the forward lengthwise edge of the bed of said first unit, the upper ends of said panels and top part of said bolster projecting above the level of said high-level bed, the bottom part of said bolster terminating in a predetermined plane above the plane of the low-level bed, the outwardly facing vertical part of said bolster projecting forwardly beyond said forward lengthwise edge and providing an elevated backrest and also a restricted open front for said second unit, whereby when a median lengthwise portion of the bed of the second unit is caused to underlie the bolster, said bed, that is the outwardly projecting portion thereof, functions as a couch.

2. In combination, a first floor-supported high-level bed unit embodying a horizontal elevated bed spring for reception and retention of a mattress, a pair of longitudinal- 1y spaced parallel vertical end panels having upper end portions fixed to and depending from the opposite transverse ends of the bed spring and serving as supporting legs and having feet at lower ends to rest firmly on a room floor and permitting vertical edges of said end panels to be stationed against a vertical room wall with the result that the panels and elevated bed spring, in conjunction with the wall and floor define an enclosed openfront storage space for a trundle bed, limited upper end portions of said end panels projecting above the top of said bed spring, a trundle bed of a size and shape capable of being completely stored away during the day in said space, and also capable of being bodily slid along the floor through the open front and stationed wholly beyond the open front to provide an independently usable lowlevel bed, an elongated horizontal bolster extending across the lengthwise front edge of the elevated bed spring be tween the end panels and having ends projecting into the space between and fixed to and supported at its ends on the respective end panels, an upper lengthwise portion of said bolster being in a plane above the level of the bed spring and flush with the projecting upper ends of said end panels and the lower surface terminating in a plane above and being cooperative with the top of the trundle bed, whereby when the trundle bed is caused to project part-way through said open front the projecting portion and said bolster cooperate in providing a couch.

3. In a multipurpose structure of the class described, a relatively stationary bed unit comprising: a pair of opposed spaced parallel vertical rigid end panels having lower end portions adapted to rest solidly on a floor, a horizontal bed spring having spaced parallel forward and rearward rails suspended and supported between upper corner portions of said panels, said spring being disposed in a horizontal plane slightly below the upper ends of said panels and being adapted to support a mattress, a stationary horizontal brace spanning the space between corresponding rearwardly disposable vertical marginal edge portions of the panels and secured at its ends to the interior surfaces of the panels, said brace being spaced downwardly and located directly beneath the overlying rearward rail and having the additional function of a limit stop for a trundle bed, a hollow elongated horizontal cabinet having end walls, portions of said end walls projecting between and positioned against the interior surfaces of the panels and removably bolted thereto adjacent the upper corner portions only of said panels, said cabinet providing a bolster and having an open front and said open front being closed by a hingedly mounted wall exteriorly provided with cushioning pads, and a relatively movable trundle bed unit embodying a horizontal frame provided with a bed spring which is adapted to support a mattress, said frame being provided at corresponding rearward corner portions with fixed brackets having freely turnable floor-engaging rollers, the forward corner portions of the frame being provided each with a fixed brake shoe having a curvate friction brake surface, a spring arm having one end secured to said frame and having a bracket at the other free end of said spring, said bracket provided with a freely turnable floor engaging roller and said roller being movable into and out of engagement with said brake surface when a load of predetermined weight is imposed on said mattress.

4. Multipurpose convertible furniture for use in close quarters where available space is at a premium comprising: a first relatively movable floor-supported furniture unit embodying a low-level trundle bed adapted when not in use to occupy an out-of-the-way position with one lengthwise portion adjacent a stationary vertical room wall, a second relatively stationary floor-supported furniture unit embodying a pair of vertical spaced parallel end panels having lower end portions adapted to rest on the floor, said panels being of corresponding width and height and the width corresponding to the width of said trundle bed, the upper portions of the panels extending a predetermined distance above the level of the sleeping surface of said trundle bed, forward and rearward coplanar spaced parallel rails suspended between upper corner portions of said panels, said rails being in a plane slightly below the level of the upper ends of said end panels and being provided with and supporting a bed spring, said bed spring being coplanar with the rails and adapted to support a mattress whereby to provide a second bed in a plane above the first bed, the second unit constituting an enclosure and enclosing and concealing the first bed when the latter is not being used, and a bolster disposed horizontally and spanning the space between and having its ends bolted to the upper portions of the forward vertical edges of said end panels and having :a major lengthwise half-portion projecting forwardly beyond the forward vertical edges of said panels, said bolster having a bottom portion spaced a prescribed distance above the lower ends of said end panels, said distance being above the plane of the firstnamed bed when the latter is equipped with a mattress and permitting the first-named bed to be moved outwardly beneath and forwardly of the outermost surface portion of said bolster and moved when not in use completely aoazees within the confines of the space between said end panels, and said trundle bed having Weight-responsive friction brake-controlled roller means whereby it may be extended and retained in a position Wholly beyond the bolster to serve as a regular bed, partially extended relative to the bolster to function as a couch, or positioned in a stored position beneath the second bed when not being used.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,265,671 Quadri Dec. 9, 1941 Stone Dec. 26, 1944 Eppenstein Mar. 6, 1945 MacEachron Nov. 16, 1954 Brown Oct. 18, 1955 Lindsey June 2, 1959 Davis etlal Aug. 18, 1959 Bolinger June 28, 1960 Bolinger Apr. 25, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden May 26, 1936 France Mar. 25, 1953 

